Battling for a roster spot

IRONPIGS SPRING TRAINING

Despite impressive backgrounds, two players are still wondering if they'll be on deck this season with the IronPigs.

March 28, 2010|By Jeff Schuler | OF THE MORNING CALL

Brad Wilkerson and Brandon Duckworth aren't used to being in the position they're in this spring.

For most of their careers both players -- Wilkerson, a former first-round draft pick and eight-year major league veteran, and Duckworth, who has seen big-league time in eight of the previous nine seasons -- have come to spring training knowing they've had a job for the upcoming season.

This spring, however, both players found themselves battling for a spot on the IronPigs roster for the upcoming season after signing with the Phillies as minor league free agents over the winter.

''I'm in some unfamiliar territory,'' admitted Wilkerson, an outfielder who has hit 122 major-league homers in his career. ''It's different in a sense from what I've been used to from the last nine or 10 years.''

''This is my first time not going to big league camp since 2000,'' added Duckworth, a right-handed pitcher who began his career in the Phillies organization and was part of the package that brought Billy Wagner from Houston in November 2003. ''I wouldn't say you're comfortable [in that situation] but at least you know you're going to be around.''

With cuts being made Saturday night, both Wilkerson and Duckworth were hoping to be around for today's intrasquad games.

''You try not to think about it but you know it's there,'' Duckworth said Saturday after pitching five solid innings in the IronPigs' 7-3 win over Las Vegas (Toronto) in Dunedin. ''You just hope you've done enough to earn that spot.''

''You can't worry about the things you can't control, and that's something I can't control,'' said Wilkerson, who had a double, a walk and a run scored in the win. ''What I can control is work ethic, and I feel like I've been coming out here every day and putting in my work. I feel like I'm seeing the ball pretty good; I feel like I'm on the right track to rebounding to a good season. if that's not the way they see it, then so be it. But that's something I can't control.''

After hitting a career-low .220 with four homers for Seattle and Toronto in 2008, Wilkerson signed with Boston and earned a spot on the Pawtucket roster. But after just two games with the PawSox he abruptly announced his retirement.

''There were some personal things going on,'' Wilkerson said. ''My heart wasn't where it needed to be and I'm not the type of player that not only is going to waste my time but more importantly my teammates' time.''

At the time Wilkerson never thought he'd put on a baseball uniform again. But just in case he stayed in shape.

''I started working out in July, just trying to stay in shape, and started ramping up my workouts in October, you know, just in case,'' he said, adding that his retirement ''was a decision I kind of regret now. It happenedÃÂÃÂ ''

Even with an all-star outfield ahead of him on the major-league level, Wilkerson felt the Phillies were the best of the offers he received this winter.

''They've got a pretty good team on the big league level but you never know,'' he said. ''It's been a grind every day but I enjoy it and it seems like we've got a good bunch of guys here. I feel like it's a great opportunity to go to a great place in Triple-A and perform again.''

For Duckworth, this spring has been a homecoming. He signed with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent out of Cal State-Fullerton in 1997 and arrived at Veterans Stadium four years later. He won 15 games in red pinstripes before being dealt to Houston and has also played for Kansas City.

''When you're comfortable with people it means everything,'' he said of his return to the organization. ''You always compare your first organization with everyone else, and I feel honestly it's the best organization out there.

''It's pretty nice knowing that the people who are still around, they do know me,'' he added.

Duckworth struggled through an injury-plagued season at Triple-A Omaha last summer, going 3-6 with a 5.91 ERA in 20 games (19 starts).

''I battled an injury right after I got sent down and had to have some bone chips cleaned out of my elbow,'' said Duckworth. ''I went and played winter ball and they saw enough to say 'We want to bring you into camp and let you fight for a spot.' That's all I want, is that opportunity. I know I can pitch. I know I can help a big league club. I know that for a fact.''

Saturday Duckworth allowed just two hits and a run on one of J.P. Arencibia's two home runs in five innings, striking out six and walking two. Overall he has allowed four hits and three earned runs in nine innings, with four walks and nine strikeouts.

''I think I helped myself today,'' Duckworth said. ''It's a work in progress. I still feel a little bit off but at the same time I got a lot of work in today and I made some quality pitches when I needed to.''

Duckworth believes he has what the Phillies are looking for at the Triple-A level.

''They're battling to get back to the World Series again, and they need to have some guys with experience, just in case,'' he said. ''I know I have the experience, especially playing in Philadelphia; it's not going to be something new to me. I think that really helps.''